ISO 45001 Clause 9.2 Internal Audit

Introduction

ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. Clause 9.2 of ISO 45001 focuses on internal audits, which are essential for organizations to ensure that their health and safety management system is effective and conforms to the requirements of the standard. Internal audits help organizations identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. In this blog, we will provide an introduction to ISO 45001 Clause 9.2 Internal Audit, explaining its importance and how organizations can effectively implement this clause to enhance their occupational health and safety performance.

Importance of Internal Audits in the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System

Internal audits play a crucial role in the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Clause 9.2 of the standard specifically focuses on the importance of conducting internal audits within the organization.

Internal audits help in evaluating the effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System implemented within the organization. By conducting regular audits, the organization can identify any non-conformities, gaps, or areas of improvement in their health and safety processes.

Internal audits also help in ensuring compliance with the ISO 45001 standard requirements and legal obligations related to occupational health and safety. It provides a systematic and structured approach to assess the performance of the management system and determine if it is achieving the desired outcomes.

Moreover, internal audits help in promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. By reviewing and analyzing the audit findings, the organization can implement corrective actions and preventive measures to enhance its health and safety performance.

Overall, internal audits are essential for maintaining the effectiveness of the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System and ensuring the well-being of employees in the workplace. It helps in identifying risks, improving processes, and enhancing overall health and safety performance within the organization.

Understanding the Requirements of Clause 9.2

ISO 45001 Clause 9.2 Internal Audit requires organizations to conduct internal audits to determine the effectiveness of their Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). The internal audit should be carried out at planned intervals to assess whether the OHSMS conforms to the requirements of the standard and the organization's own requirements.

The internal audit should be conducted by trained personnel who are independent of the activities they are auditing. The results of the internal audit should be documented and communicated to relevant parties, including top management.

The organization is required to take appropriate corrective actions to address any nonconformities identified during the internal audit. A follow-up audit should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of these corrective actions.
Overall, ISO 45001 Clause 9.2 Internal Audit is essential for ensuring the continual improvement of the OHSMS and for maintaining compliance with the standard.

Planning and Conducting Internal Audits Effectively

Internal audits are a crucial component of the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. These audits help organizations evaluate the effectiveness of their processes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure compliance with the standard's requirements. To plan and conduct internal audits effectively, organizations should follow certain steps outlined in Clause 9.2 of the standard.

• Establish an Audit Program: The first step in conducting internal audits is to establish an audit program, which outlines the frequency, scope, and objectives of the audits. The audit program should be based on the organization's objectives, risks, and opportunities, and should be reviewed and updated regularly.

• Select Competent Auditors: It is important to select auditors who are competent to carry out the audits effectively. Auditors should be trained in auditing techniques and the requirements of ISO 45001, and should have the necessary skills and knowledge to assess the organization's OH&S management system.

• Define the Scope of the Audit: Before conducting an audit, it is important to define the scope of the audit, including the processes, areas, and requirements that will be audited. The scope should be based on the organization's objectives and risks, and should be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

• Prepare an Audit Plan: Once the scope of the audit is defined, auditors should prepare an audit plan that outlines the objectives, criteria, methods, and resources for the audit. The audit plan should also include a schedule of activities, identification of audit team members, and a list of documents and records to be reviewed.

• Conduct the Audit: During the audit, auditors should follow the audit plan and conduct audits in a systematic and objective manner. Auditors should gather evidence to verify conformity with ISO 45001 requirements, identify opportunities for improvement, and report on any nonconformities found.

• Communicate Audit Findings: After the audit is completed, auditors should communicate their findings to relevant stakeholders, including senior management, process owners, and employees. The audit report should include a summary of audit findings, conclusions, and recommendations for improvement.

• Follow-up on Audit Findings: Once audit findings are communicated, it is important to follow up on any nonconformities found and take corrective actions to address them. Organizations should also track the implementation of corrective actions and monitor the effectiveness of these actions.

By following these steps, organizations can plan and conduct internal audits effectively to ensure the continual improvement of their OH&S management system and compliance with ISO 45001 requirements.

Reporting and Documenting Internal Audit Findings

Internal audits are a key component of the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Clause 9.2 of the standard outlines the requirements for conducting internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the OH&S management system.

Once the internal audit has been completed, it is important to accurately report and document the findings. This documentation serves as evidence of compliance with the standard and provides a basis for improvement actions to be taken.

When reporting and documenting internal audit findings, the following steps should be followed:

• Prepare an Audit Report: The audit report should include a summary of the audit scope, objectives, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It should also include any non-conformities identified during the audit.

• Document Findings: The findings of the audit should be documented in detail, including evidence of compliance or non-compliance with the requirements of the standard. This documentation should be clear, specific, and supported by objective evidence.

• Classify Findings: Audit findings may be classified as either conformities (positive findings) or non-conformities (negative findings). Non-conformities should be documented with reference to the specific requirement of the standard that has not been met.

• Assign Responsibilities: Each non-conformity should be assigned a responsible party who is tasked with addressing the issue and implementing corrective actions. The responsible party should be given a deadline for completing the corrective actions.

• Follow up on Corrective Actions: Once corrective actions have been implemented, a follow-up audit should be conducted to verify that the actions taken have effectively addressed the non-conformities identified during the initial audit.

By accurately reporting and documenting internal audit findings in accordance with the requirements of ISO 45001 Clause 9.2, organizations can ensure the effectiveness of their OH&S management system and drive continuous improvement in workplace health and safety.

Corrective Actions and Continual Improvement

Clause 9.2 of ISO 45001 requires organizations to establish and maintain an internal audit process to assess the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety management system. Internal audits are a key tool for identifying areas of nonconformity and opportunities for improvement within the system.

The internal audit process should be conducted by competent personnel who are independent of the areas being audited. The audit scope, frequency, and methods should be defined in a documented procedure, and audit findings should be documented and communicated to relevant personnel.

Following the internal audit, organizations are required to take corrective actions to address any nonconformities identified during the audit. These actions should be documented and implemented in a timely manner to prevent recurrence of the nonconformity.

In addition to corrective actions, organizations are also expected to use internal audit findings as a basis for continual improvement of the occupational health and safety management system. This may involve identifying trends, root causes of nonconformities, and opportunities for improvement, and implementing changes to the system to enhance its effectiveness.

By actively engaging in internal audits and using the findings to drive corrective actions and continual improvement, organizations can ensure that their occupational health and safety management system remains effective in protecting the health and well-being of their employees.

Conclusion

As the implementation and maintenance of ISO 45001 standards become increasingly vital for organizations, the internal audit process plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance and continuous improvement. Clause 9.2 of ISO 45001 specifically focuses on the internal audit, emphasizing the importance of effectively monitoring and evaluating occupational health and safety management systems. In this blog post, we will delve into the conclusion of ISO 45001 Clause 9.2 internal audit, highlighting key takeaways and best practices for organizations striving for OHS excellence.